What is my allowance for cabin baggage?

First Class and Business Class

First Class and Business Class passengers are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage: one briefcase plus either one handbag or one garment bag, all subject to the following size and weight limitations:

Briefcase: 45 by 35 by 20 centimeters (18 by 14 by 8 inches)
Handbag: 55 by 38 by 20 centimeters (22 by 15 by 8 inches)

The weight of each piece must not exceed 7kilograms (15pounds). While duty free purchases of liquor, cigarettes and perfume in reasonable quantities are also permitted in addition to the above, exceptions apply with new liquid restrictions in place.

Economy Class

Economy Class passengers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage, subject to the following size and weight limitations:

Carry-on baggage: 55 by 38 by 20 centimeters (22 by 15 by 8 inches)

Weight must not exceed 7kilograms (15pounds). Duty free purchases of liquor, cigarettes and perfume in reasonable quantities are also permitted in addition to the above.

You must be able to lift your own bag into the overhead locker. Cabin crew can assist you if you are elderly, travelling with young children or have a condition that requires support.

Exceptions

Find out more about allowances for passengers travelling with infants.

For customers boarding at airports in India:

  1. You are allowed one piece of carry-on baggage.
  2. The total dimensions of any bag cannot exceed 115centimeters or 45.3 inches (length + width + height).

Note: Customers with travel originating from Brazil with tickets purchased in Brazil are allowed a carry-on weighing up to 10kilograms (22pounds). Customers with travel originating from any other country to Brazil are allowed a carry-on weighing up to 7kilograms (15pounds).

Exemptions may be granted for oversized hand baggage containing an item or items which are too large to fit within the permitted bag size and are valuable or fragile. Such oversized baggage shall be presented by the passenger for approval at check-in and at the screening point of examination.

If your itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, different baggage rules may apply for these flights – learn more(Learn more about my baggage allowance on other airlines).

‘Wheelie’ bags

Please note that rolling bags with built-in wheels and retractable handles will be permitted as cabin baggage only if the total dimensions (length + width + height) add up to less than 114centimeters (45 inches). The larger, overnight models of this type of bag will not be permitted in the cabin.

Transiting or departing from Dubai

Items in excess of the maximum limitations above may not be permitted in the cabin on flights departing from Dubai. The baggage will be transferred to the aircraft hold and a checked baggage receipt will be issued. Excess baggage rates will be applied when permissible hand baggage allowance is exceeded.

Powders in cabin baggage

On flights to, from or through the US, and flights from or through Australia and New Zealand, powders in containers equal to or over 350milliliters are not allowed in carry-on belongings or cabin baggage.

  • Powders in containers equal to or over 350milliliters have to be checked in.
  • Depending on the last point of departure, any powders in containers over 350milliliters in your carry-on baggage will be confiscated at Dubai International airport (DXB), Milan–Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Athens International Airport (ATH).
  • Powders under 350milliliters may be subject to additional screening.
  • Baby formula, prescription medicines and human remains are exempt.
  • Powder-like substances purchased in airport duty free shops must be placed in Sealed Tamper Evident Bags along with proof of purchase (receipt).

This is in accordance with new security guidelines from the US Transport Security Administration (TSA), the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.

Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) in cabin baggage

In line with regulations recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the following LAGs (liquids, aerosols and gels) restrictions on cabin baggage apply for passengers boarding from or transiting through various other international airports, including Dubai:

  1. All liquids, gels and aerosols, pastes, lotions, creams, drinks and other items of similar consistency must be in containers with a capacity no greater than 100milliliter. Those carried in containers larger than 100milliliter will not be accepted, even if the container is only part-filled.
  2. These containers must be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre. Larger bags or bags that are non-sealable, such as fold-over sandwich bags, are not allowed.
  3. The containers must fit comfortably within the transparent plastic bag, which is to be completely closed.
  4. The plastic bag is to be presented for visual examination at the screening point. Only one transparent plastic bag per passenger will be permitted.
  5. Exemptions will be made for medications, baby milk / foods and special dietary requirements. Appropriate and proportionate means of verifying the nature of such items will need to be available.

To facilitate screening and avoid a cluttered X-ray image, such plastic bags should be presented apart from other cabin baggage, coats, jackets and laptops for separate X-ray screening.

Passengers transiting in countries adhering to these measures may not be able to take duty free liquid goods past the transit security check.

Note the following: if you are transiting/connecting through Bangkok/Singapore/Kuala Lumpur (BKK/SIN/KUL) and have to exit the aircraft and then re-board to continue, these airports now have strict LAGS rules in place and will remove liquids during transit.

Security Tamper-Evident Bags (STEBS)

LAGs in any volume, purchased at airport retail outlets (e.g. Dubai Duty Free) or on board the aircraft, will not be allowed through security screening points, unless they:

  • are carried in a Security Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB); and
  • have been protected from unlawful interference by a process of supply chain security (as applied in Dubai).

These bags, which have not yet been standardised internationally, are for the use of passengers who purchase LAGS at airport Duty Free or other outlets and will be in transit to their next destination. Once sealed, the bags cannot be opened and then re-sealed without obvious indications.

Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) US bound

US bound passengers travelling on direct Emirates flights departing from Dubai International Airport to the USA are permitted to carry LAGs items purchased from Duty Free Shops inside Dubai International Airport concourse irrespective of quantity and volume, as cabin baggage.

Upon arrival in the US, the passengers would need to place any items over 100milliliter in their checked baggage for any onward US domestic/international flights.

Other restrictions and exceptions on LAGs
RegionLiquid RestrictionsSTEBs AcceptedExceptions
AfricaEgypt
Kenya
Mauritius
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
South AfricaNo liquids are allowed for passengers transiting in Mauritius.

For passengers departing from Mauritius, liquids are not allowed. However, liquids purchased at duty free can be carried on board depending on the regulations of the transit/ final destination country.
AsiaChina
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Mauritius
Pakistan
Philippines
Seychelles
Singapore
South Korea Thailand
China
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Malaysia
Maldives
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
No liquids whatsoever are permitted in hand luggage in
the Philippines

India does not currently accept STEBs
Australia &New ZealandAustralia New Zealandnot availableAustralia does not currently accept STEBs
Europe &AmericasThe US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented a series of security measures for commercial flights regarding hand baggage, although broadly similar to the EU regulations the quantities of fluids and gels allowed are slightly different.Brazil
European Union
Iceland
Norway
Russia
Switzerland
Turkey
UK
Turkey
USAThe US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented a series of security measures for commercial flights regarding hand baggage, although broadly similar to the EU regulations the quantities of fluids and gels allowed are slightly different.
USA accepts STEBS from shops inside the Dubai Airport concourse. On arrival in the USA, passengers need to place STEBS (over 100ml) in their checked baggage for any onward domestic/ international flights.
Middle EastBahrain
Dubai
Kuwait
Lebanon
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Yemen
Dubainot available
All the above information is to the best of our knowledge correct at the time of publishing. Details are subject to change with little or no notice. Please contact your local Emirates office, departure airport or follow the links to the individual regulatory authorities above for further information.
View more information on EU hand baggage regulations and FAQs (Opens an external website in a new tab)



Please note that laser pointers are also prohibited on board Emirates aircraft. Find more information on the TSA advisory on security measures, and a list of items allowed onboard (Opens an external website in a new tab)